786 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Han Sanggyŏng, Lord of Sŏwŏn, were opposed to it. Chŏng Ku, left grand
master of remonstrance, and others said:
“When the king gives orders, courtesy requires his subject to obey, and
this is natural. However, the courtesy of obeying orders sometimes can
change if circumstances do not allow. If we look at the depositions made by
Cho Sŏ and Kwak Haeryong and the letter from the Ministry of Rites of
China, deception is too extreme. This was not the first time that we sent
congratulations on the birthday of the imperial crown prince, and nothing
has changed in the form and the phrases in drafting memorials to the
emperor compared with previous years. The anger of the suzerain state
[Ming China] started from the Chŏngch’uk year (1397), and there must be a
reason when they try to conspire against us. Besides, everyone knows that
the three officials, including Cho Sŏ and Kong Pu, did not attempt to mock
or insult the Chinese court, and the spirits of heaven and earth are our wit-
nesses. The suzerain state fabricated a preposterous thing and extracted
depositions from our envoys by using threats, and now demands that we
send the three officials to them.
If their demands are limited only to the three officials, we may allow
them to go, but if they fabricate things against us after drawing the deposi-
tions from the three officials, they will certainly come up with new demands,
which is difficult for us to accept. Then how will we be able to deal with
them in the days ahead? If we can have peace by sending the three officials
today and ten more tomorrow, we should indeed send them. However, we
know well that the Chinese are now trying to snare us. Under the circum-
stances, if we just accede to their demands, faintheartedly displaying our
weaknesses, we are afraid we will regret our decision in time. We request
that Your Majesty sincerely implore the Chinese authorities to reconsider
their demands instead of sending away the three officials, and then it is pos-
sible that they will be persuaded.” Even after discussing the matter with
Left Chancellor Cho Chun and others, the king could not decide.17th Day (Kyehae)
The king pardoned sixteen officials, including [fortress construction super-
visors] Chŏng Ŭi and Kang Hoejung, and twenty- two military officials,
including Yi Kwich’ŏl, Kim Yŏngnyŏl, and Min Chungni.The king ordered Yi Munhwa, chief royal secretary, to meet with the people
who were recommended by their local governments in various provinces